Jackie Robinson quotes

Jackie Robinson was an American baseball player who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier. His courage and talent helped pave the way for the integration of professional sports in the United States. He became a symbol of social progress and a champion for civil rights. Here are 14 of his quotes:

I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.

Jackie Robinson

There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.

Jackie Robinson

The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity.

Jackie Robinson

The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.

Jackie Robinson

Above anything else, I hate to lose.

Jackie Robinson

I guess you'd call me an independent, since I've never identified myself with one party or another in politics. I always decide my vote by taking as careful a look as I can at the actual candidates and issues themselves, no matter what the party label.

Jackie Robinson

Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.

Jackie Robinson

Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead.

Jackie Robinson

It kills me to lose. If I'm a troublemaker, and I don't think that my temper makes me one, then it's because I can't stand losing. That's the way I am about winning, all I ever wanted to do was finish first.

Jackie Robinson

The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it.

Jackie Robinson

Pop flies, in a sense, are just a diversion for a second baseman. Grounders are his stock trade.

Jackie Robinson

I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being. I am not ashamed of my dark skin. You and every other white American should understand that we believe our color is an asset. Your dislike of my aggressiveness has no effect on me. I'm after something much more important than your favor or disfavor. You should at least respect me as a man who stands up for what he believes in. I am not an Uncle Tom. I am in this fight to stay.

Jackie Robinson